An AFP correspondent said Flahaut was geeted at Kinshaha airport by his Congolese counterpart, General Jean-Pierre Ondekane.

Belgium agreed in February to send military instructors to train Congolese troops in peacekeeping operations.

Flahaut was accompanied by four members of the Belgian parliament.

Belgium, the former colonial power, has said it would help in the creation of a reunified and integrated Congolese army capable of defending the national territory as the country emerges from a long war in which some 2.5 million people were killed.

In Brussels meanwhile Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht is to discuss the situation in the Great Lakes region with his counterpart from Burundi, his office said.

De Gucht will meet Burundian external relations minister Therence Sinunguruza, as well as with Dutch cooperation and development minister Agnes Van Ardenne, whose country holds the EU presidency.

"The situation in Burundi and in the Great Lakes region will be discussed at these two meetings," said a ministry statement.

WAR.WIRE